Design for a Future without Institutional Racism
Using art and design as advocacy to support the ongoing protests in the U.S. against systemic racism and police brutality
As artists and designers, how can we help support the victims of racism and the activists who are pushing for police reform?
On Twitter, designers and artists are advertising their services for free to anyone going to the protests, promoting other designers of color and creating powerful pieces that promote love of others and combat racism.
There is a fundraiser for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. for which I have designed a face mask that includes the names of 39 victims of police brutality against Blacks in the United States.
George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are just a few of the most recent victims listed on the “Say Their Names” mask.
Tragically, there have been too many victims to fit every name on one small mask, much as I tried. A countless number of additional names should be honored from the atrocities committed against Black lives in this country for over 400 years.
I hope this mask can be helpful to protesters and activists by serving as health protection from the COVID-19 pandemic while also spreading the message to end police brutality and systemic racism.
Art as advocacy is what I love to do, especially graphic design, and it is a passion for many others who are standing up for the value of Black lives.
Abelle, for example, is a Black artist and the organizer of #drawingwhileblack. Abelle has garnered over 40,000 followers on Twitter alone, many of whom are showing their support for the Black community through their original artwork, which Abelle retweets.
The makers of art materials are supportive, as well. Crayola has created a line of crayons called “Colors of the World,” which celebrates skin of all colors. By having a wider range of skin tones, Crayola hopes to promote self-acceptance and love of others from a young age — no matter their skin tone.
Others, like Pantone for example, have created art and provided links to resources on how to be an ally in the fight against systemic racism and police brutality.
There is so much that can be done besides going to protests and donating that can help in this cause. Create something and fundraise for a better future. Support Black owned businesses. Reach out to others to help in whatever way you can.
By doing what we love, we should be able to make a significant difference because our work comes from the heart.
